Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reacted to the spike in terror attacks and abductions across Nigeria, calling on President Bola Tinubu’s government to declare a state of emergency on insecurity.
Atiku gave this advice following the abduction of hundreds of students and staff at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
Reacting on X on Friday to a newspaper report of the attack, Atiku described the incident as “truly heartbreaking” and questioned the delay in taking stronger measures, asking: “How many more lives must be shattered before decisive action is taken?”
He further called on the Federal government to act with urgency, saying, “It is not too late for the government to finally declare a state of emergency on insecurity and confront this menace with the urgency it deserves.”
Meanwhile, Tribune Online earlier reported that the number of students and teachers abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwarra Local Government Area of Niger State has increased to 315, up from the earlier figure of 227.
The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who also serves as the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, confirmed the updated figure after a verification exercise and final census.
The new breakdown shows that 303 students and 12 teachers were abducted.
Also, according to the Niger State Government, the school had resumed operations without clearance, despite a prior closure order, a decision they said exposed students and staff to risk.
Security forces, including police and military personnel, have been deployed to the area to carry out rescue operations.